Abercrombie
far ahead of Ward
in cash race

The incumbent is on his
way to $1 million in campaign
funds while his foe
has $162,000

By Pete Pichaske
Star-Bulletin

WASHINGTON -- Incumbent Neil Abercrombie remains comfortably ahead of Republican challenger Gene Ward in the race for campaign cash in Hawaii's first congressional district, as both sides prepare for an increasingly costly -- and negative -- ad campaign.

With $861,000 raised in the past two years, Abercrombie appeared on his way to raising $1 million for the campaign. That would be 50 percent more than he spent in 1996.

Ward, meanwhile, had raised $162,000, although his take for September, $75,000, was close to Abercrombie's total of $103,000.

The figures were contained in campaign reports filed with the Federal Election Commission and covering contributions through Sept. 30. They are the final reports due before the Nov. 3 election.

The money is being used in part to fuel a battle of campaign ads that has already turned ugly and promises to get uglier.

Abercrombie and his supporters have aired ads attacking Ward's environmental record as a state lawmaker, charges Ward labels as a "far-fetched" attempt to divert attention from Abercrombie's own poor record on the economy.

Ward, meanwhile, has revived years-old, unflattering video footage of a suspicious-looking Abercrombie with his long hair flowing, used by 1996 GOP nominee Orson Swindle, and attacked the Honolulu Democrat's positions on such things as needle exchange programs.

"What does that have to do with the economy?" asked Abercrombie campaign spokeswoman Tina Yamamoto.

Moreover, the controversial Washington-based political consulting firm Triad, with close ties to conservative Republicans, has targeted the Abercrombie-Ward race for support.

A Triad memorandum last month listed the contest as one of two dozen "top tier" House races where socially conservative Republicans could win.

Two years ago, Triad financed a $53,000 series of attack ads on Abercrombie in the final five days of the campaign. The ads described Abercrombie as an incorrigible liberal who supports a "massive welfare state" and "dismantling the military."

The ads were part of a multi-million dollar national campaign that was condemned by campaign watchdogs as a way of circumventing election laws meant to monitor campaign spending.

Democrats on the Senate committee investigating campaign finance abuses in 1996, meanwhile, looked at Triad and found "substantial evidence of wrongdoing" before the inquiry was shut down.

Triad attorney Mark Braden said he was unaware of any plans by Triad to get involved in the Honolulu race, besides advising its followers, who include wealthy Republicans, to financially support Ward.

Yamamoto, meanwhile, said the Abercrombie campaign was bracing for another series of negative ads.

"We're hoping not, but we're expecting something," she said. "We expect it to be really personal and nasty."

Ward said he had only vaguely heard of Triad and didn't know of any planned anti-Abercrombie ad campaign.

"But if they're going to put ads for me ... why would I complain?" he said. Any such ads, he argued, would be similar to the Sierra Club ads that have touted Abercrombie as a friend of the environment.

As for the fund-raising disparity, Ward said he was unsurprised and unconcerned. "We never expected to have enough money to match him," said Ward. "We just want enough to get out our message about the economy, and we'll be able to do that."

Yamamoto, meanwhile, said Abercrombie should come close to the $1 million mark. "He's on schedule to raise what he needs to get out his message ... about his accomplishments," she said.

In Hawaii's other House contest, incumbent Patsy Mink, D-rural Oahu/neighbor islands, had raised $104,000 for the year and had $57,000 on hand.

GOP challenger Carol Douglass raised $815; $121 on hand.

Campaign reports for Sen. Daniel Inouye and his Republican challenger, Crystal Young, were not yet available.